PAULINHO REJOINS CHINESE SIDE GUANGZHOU EVERGRANDE ON LOAN

Barcelona’s midfielder Paulinho returns to Guangzhou Evergrande on a one-year loan, after just one year at the Camp Nou.

The 29-year-old Brazilian midfielder found the back of the net on nine occasions in 34 appearances as Barcelona clinched the Spanish la liga and Copa del rey trophies.

Guangzhou Evergrande have announced the loan signing of Paulinho on their official website, confirming the news which has been surrounding the football world for the last couple of days.

The cost for Guangzhou is reportedly in the region of €50m (£44.2m), thus Barcelona have made a profit 12 months after they paid €40m for his services.

Barcelona confirmed the deal on their website, adding that Guangzhou have an option to sign the former Tottenham man on a permanent deal.

“The King is back” is written on Guangzhou’s poster, as he was a key member in helping the Chinese side secure two Chinese Super League championships.

Paulinho made 63 league appearances for Guangzhou Evergrande from 2015-2017.

For the past seven seasons, Guangzhou Evergrande have been the league champions in China but ever since Paulinho left for Barcelona, they suffered from a bad spell which see them ranked just fifth in Chinese Super League at the moment.

Paulinho started every match of Brazil’s 2018 World Cup campaign and scored the opener in a 2-0 Group E win for the Selecao over Serbia.